Patents by Inventor Matthew J Michal

Matthew J Michal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8992057
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a main lighting control sensor, a body, a housing, an outer lens, and main and expressive lighting assemblies. The sensor generates an output signal in response to a detected vehicle condition such as braking or headlight activation. The lens defines a cavity in conjunction with the housing. The main lighting assembly is positioned within the cavity, and illuminates in response to the output signal. An expressive lighting assembly positioned within the cavity includes clear transparent plates arranged in a stack, with LEDs arranged in multiple rows and columns on a major surface of each plate. Wire arrays connect the LEDs to a control board. The control board receives an activation signal from a device, e.g., a fob, and individually addresses the LEDs to command illumination of the LEDs according to a calibrated LED illumination sequence. A controller may be used for downloading sequences as applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Foley, Randal G. Maes, Matthew J Michal, Kenneth V. Hollewa
  • Publication number: 20140268852
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a main lighting control sensor, a body, a housing, an outer lens, and main and expressive lighting assemblies. The sensor generates an output signal in response to a detected vehicle condition such as braking or headlight activation. The lens defines a cavity in conjunction with the housing. The main lighting assembly is positioned within the cavity, and illuminates in response to the output signal. An expressive lighting assembly positioned within the cavity includes clear transparent plates arranged in a stack, with LEDs arranged in multiple rows and columns on a major surface of each plate. Wire arrays connect the LEDs to a control board. The control board receives an activation signal from a device, e.g., a fob, and individually addresses the LEDs to command illumination of the LEDs according to a calibrated LED illumination sequence. A controller may be used for downloading sequences as applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Foley, Randal G. Maes, Matthew J Michal, Kenneth V. Hollewa